The refreshed and rejuvenated: AFL players who have turned their careers around in 2016

From overrated, to underperforming, to a flop of a pick and/or trade; here are six players who have refreshed their careers in 2016.

Kurt Tippett

It’s been almost four years since the infamous ‘Kurt Tippett saga’, which intertwined two of the AFL’s clubs; Sydney and Adelaide.

Kurt Tippett joined his new club on the back of fines and suspensions, stripped draft picks and an outrage from other club’s, experts and fans like never seen before.

Now in his fourth year with the Swans, Kurt Tippett is proving the debacle was all worth it for the Swans.

Despite having his best season last year with the Swans (44 goals from 22 games), in the first 10 games of 2016, Tippett’s impact has been imposing for the red and white.

Although Callum Sinclair was brought in from West Coast to assume the full-time ruckman role at Sydney, Tippett has used his great athleticism, height and tank to take up the void left by Mike Pyke in the ruck for the Swans.

A reinvigorated Kurt Tippet has resulted in an average of 15 disposals, 4 marks, 29 hit outs and 1.5 goals a game in 2016.

Tippett’s duel against the AFL’s best ruckman Todd Goldstein on Friday night showed his remarkable progression. Goldstein had 9 touches, 43 hit outs, 6 tackles and 2 clearances; while Tippett held his own and defused Goldstein’s impact with 14 disposals, 37 hit outs, 2 clearances and 3 tackles of his own. Sydney won the game and Tippett was able to defuse Tippett’s elite impact.

The pressure has been spotlighted on Tippett since his controversial move, and in 2016, you get the sense it just doesn’t bother him anymore. 2016 won’t be able goals, hit outs or stats for Tippett. No, this season, Tippett’s impact will be measured by his consistent contribution to the Swans’ final surge and his ability to step up in the crucial moments. To date, he gets a nike tick.

Dale Thomas

Similar to Tippett, Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas left Collingwood in controversial circumstances back in the 2013 offseason. While there was no salary cap scandals or no secret behaviour, Daisy left Collingwood to join archrivals Carlton. For Collingwood fans, that’s as controversial as it gets.

All jokes aside, the first two years were miserable for Daisy and the Navy Blues.

Thomas’ luck with injuries paralleled the state of his new club. In his first three years, Thomas played 5, 20 and 5 games respectively. Even in his 2014 campaign with the Blues, in his 20 games, he averaged only 17 disposals; a career low since his 2009 season with the Pies.

But in 2016, a new Dale Thomas accompanied by a new Carlton is making headlines for the right reasons. He’s missed only one game – and is averaging 20 possessions, 5 marks and 4 tackles a game. His flashy and spectacular days of football may be behind him, but what Daisy brings in terms of leadership, experience and a winning attitude would be doing wonders for his young Blues teammates.

Like Tippett, Thomas joined his new club on big money, especially after letting high profile names at the club leave via free agency. And while the verdict is still out on his value to Carlton since the move, Thomas is starting to repay the faith to the Navy Blues this season.

Confident. Competitive. Consistent.

If Daisy can continue to deliver these three aspects of his 2010/2011 seasons with Collingwood, Daisy’s career can continue to blossom with a refreshed attitude, body and club.

Jack Watts

In 2016, Jack Watts looks and plays like a new and improved player.

The Demon army will dispute this; arguing their prized pick was always going to be a work in progress. But whether it’s a new attitude, a new role or a revived Melbourne Football Club, Jack Watts has seemingly turned his career around in the first 10 games of the season.

We all know his story. But it’s been eight years since the opening chapter of his career was written. While his impact has been limited since the beginning of his career; has there ever been as much scrutiny and criticism on any player (taking into account his pick 1 status) like Jack Watts in the last decade?

While his average disposals and tackles are down from last year, Watts is averaging +1.5 marks and +1.5 goals already in 2016. He has kicked 20 goals already this season, with his previous season-best for goals coming in 2013 with 22.

Playing predominantly inside Melbourne’s forward 50, Watts is ranked 13th in the AFL for Total Marks and 12th overall for Total Marks Inside 50.

With an agile and athletic build, Watts’ ability to move around the ground, seemingly freely and more confidently than past years has seen a trusting bond formed between him and his club. That’s a trust between teammates. A trust in front of goal. And a trust that he will contest and compete consistently in front of the Demon army each week.

As Mark Robinson put it, “there’s a romance about Watts and Melbourne” – a romance, which we have seen glimpses of in 2016.

Watts will never sell himself to the entire AFL community, but his 2016 form has marked a notable change in his career; one where fans are experts are not constantly questioning his ability and his thirst for the contest.

A refreshed Jack Watts paired with an enjoyable and competitive Melbourne FC is the romance we all have been waiting for.

Tom Scully

Melbourne fans will hate the jump from Jack Watts to Tom Scully, but as you well know, Scully was the consecutive number one pick in 2009 for the Demons, after drafting Watts with pick 1 in 2008.

Anyway, let’s fast forward to 2016.

In now his fifth season (where did that time go) with the Giants, Tom Scully’s output and value to his team has never been greater.

Naturally, when one moves from the fishbowl of Melbourne to the greater Western suburbs of Sydney, the attention and ‘appreciation’ of one AFL player changes greatly.

Put Tom Scully in any Victorian side (ironic, I know) and his progression from a teenager to an experienced player, and the pressure to perform wouldn’t be given a second look.

But in a newly established team with the best young talent in the country surrounding him, Tom Scully’s career hasn’t been given any sunlight (unless at the ‘G against Melbourne, or up in Spotless Stadium) since his move to GWS.

Enter 2016: where the Giants are rising and Scully’s impact is being appreciated by those outside Sydney.

In the first 10 games, Scully is averaging 25 disposals, 6 marks 1.2 goals a game and 4 tackles. Remember he is playing in a midfield loaded with Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel, Ryan Griffen, Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio, and he comfortably holds his own.

Scully’s run and carry (combined with one of the best endurance tanks and work rates in the AFL) and his long, penetrating kicks to counter the Giant’s attacking football has electrified the AFL and propelled his team up the ladder this year.

At 25 years of age, with over 100 games under his belt, Scully is entering the peak form of his career.

If Scully continues his sizzling start to 2016, by years end, he will be putting up his hand for All-Australian contention. Now wouldn’t Melbourne fans just love that…

Jarrad Waite

At 33 years of age, Jarrad Waite may not have refreshed his career. But in 2016, he sure does look like a refreshed and recharged player for North Melbourne.

If Benjamin Button was re-casted today, Jarrad Waite (and/or Brent Harvey) would have to be in line to take over the mantle from Brad Pitt.

In 2015, Waite has his best career year with his new club, recording 42 goals and helping his team to a finals campaign, which saw them one game away from the Grand Final.

However, his first 10 games of 2016 have blown his 2015 form away. He has kicked 27 goals already (ranked 4th in the Coleman Medal), and is averaging 17 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles and 2.7 goals a game. That is an increase in performance and output in every category from last year.

Waite has also registered 42 tackles already in 2016. His total tackles last season was 66 (a career best).

Is it discipline? Confidence? Consistency? The drive for a premiership?

Not only is he kicking goals, but Waite is ranked 4th in the AFL for Total Goal Assists; Ranked 4th overall for Total Marks Inside 50 and Ranked 10th in the AFL for Total Contested Marks.

Waite’s thirst for the battle and his competitive edge has taken a major boost this season. At 33 years of age and with 217 AFL games of experience, Jarrad Waite is a legitimate nomination for an All-Australian spot.

If that isn’t refreshing, I don’t know what is.

Steve Johnson

Similar Jarrad Waite, when you hit your 30’s in the AFL, the expectations lower and the pressure to perform usually results in headlines of disbelief, or headlines of father time.

After a seemingly farewell game with Geelong last year, Stevie J waved goodbye to Geelong fans as he was carried off the ground in honour of a spectacular career with the Cats.

With many thinking his contributions to the sport were over, Stevie J pulled a ‘Stevie J’ and joined Greater Western Sydney via the trade period.

Although I’ll never get used to seeing Johnson in the Orange, Grey and White; his impact with the Giants has been nothing short of brilliant to watch in the first ten games of the season.

Remember Round 1? The Giants lost to the Demons and the media exploded by saying Johnson was selfish.

Now nine games on, with the Giants flying and Johnson’s spark and influence with the Giants seems like a move of brilliance by the GWS recruiting team.

Rather than refreshing his career, the move to the Giants continued his stellar career.

And Johnson hasn’t let the Giants regret their decision to sign him.

At 32, he’s played every game, kicked 21 goals and is averaging 19 disposals, 4 marks, 2.1 goals and 2 tackles in 2016.

This weekend, Johnson and the Giants head down to Simmonds Stadium for play the Cats. If you’re not watching the game to see what Stevie J produces in front of his home crowd, you’d better have a pretty good excuse.

These are six players who I believe have rejuvenated themselves and perhaps their careers in the first 10 games of 2016. Who else do you think has reinvigorated themselves in the first half of 2016?

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